Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 3.djvu/217

 FACTORY LEGISLATION FOR WOMEN 203

TABU: iv.

Lies having inspection laws, i 2

States having women inspectors, 6

States regulating hours of labor, - 32'

States having sanitary laws, - 1 2

States providing seats for women employe's, jj

After the preceding tabulated statements, it may be well to look in a general way at the results of legislation and the prob- abilities for the future. That the results of factory legislation have been uniformly good is not a question for discussion. It is an acknowledged fact everywhere. Factory inspectors, and those who have studied the question carefully, are unanimous in saying that the regulation of the hours of labor of women and children is productive of great good.

One result has been a more enlightened body of working women. This has its salutary effect on the home, though as a rule it is the single women who are fighting the industrial battle. The number of married women in factories in this country is not so great as is generally supposed. They form only about 10 per cent. 2 of all women employed. The employment of mothers of young children is undoubtedly fruitful of much evil, andjf pos- sible it would be well that it should cease, but according to Taylor 3 " it is not feasible by any isolated statutory order."

However, it is only a matter of time when all the manufac- turing states will protect the health and morals of their opera- tives irrespective of sex. This may not come about by direct legislation, but improved public conscience will make it possible for the workers to refuse to work amid inhumane conditions. This is the end to be sought. The trades unions must be tcrcd ; those must be taught the power of their united efforts.

Some points 4 that will well bear enforcement upon the minds of women disposed to be helpful arc as follows:

Only seven regulate hours of u m. n ,,ver 18 years, and only five of these hmn> men over 21 years.

1 \VRK;M i. Industrial Evolution of U. S. t p. 212. .. p. 426.

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